Role of dissolved humic substances surrogates on phthalate esters migration from sewage sludge

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Zheng ◽  
P. J. He ◽  
H. Zhang ◽  
L. M. Shao

The facilitated transport of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), the priority endocrine disrupting chemicals in sludge, by dissolved humic substances (HS) was evaluated by batch extraction. The DBP, much less hydrophobic than DEHP, was inclined to migrate from sludge matrix into humic substances solutions, while the DEHP could not migrate facilitated by most humic and fulvic acids solutions, except the humic acid surrogate of high humification. This result revealed that the affinity of DEHP in sludge matrix exceeded DBP and was not susceptible by weak HS. The hydrophobic property controlled the association of phthalic acid esters on sludge residual phases. Migration rate of DBP was positively correlated to the weight-average molecular weight of HS surrogates and the aromatic extents of HA. Some functional groups in HS molecules benefited to the facilitated transport of DBP.

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diksha Sirohi ◽  
Ruqaiya Al Ramadhani ◽  
Luke D. Knibbs

AbstractPurposeEndocrine-related diseases and disorders are on the rise globally. Synthetically produced environmental chemicals (endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)) mimic hormones like oestrogen and alter signalling pathways. Endometriosis is an oestrogen-dependent condition, affecting 10–15% of women of the reproductive age, and has substantial impacts on the quality of life. The aetiology of endometriosis is believed to be multifactorial, ranging from genetic causes to immunologic dysfunction due to environmental exposure to EDCs. Hence, we undertook a systematic review and investigated the epidemiological evidence for an association between EDCs and the development of endometriosis. We also aimed to assess studies on the relationship between body concentration of EDCs and the severity of endometriosis.MethodFollowing PRISMA guidelines, a structured search of PubMed, Embase and Scopus was conducted (to July 2018). The included studies analysed the association between one or more EDCs and the prevalence of endometriosis. The types of EDCs, association and outcome, participant characteristics and confounding variables were extracted and analysed. Quality assessment was performed using standard criteria.ResultsIn total, 29 studies were included. Phthalate esters were positively associated with the prevalence of endometriosis. The majority (71%) of studies revealed a significant association between bisphenol A, organochlorinated environmental pollutants (dioxins, dioxin-like compounds, organochlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls) and the prevalence of endometriosis. A positive association between copper, chromium and prevalence of endometriosis was demonstrated in one study only. Cadmium, lead and mercury were not associated with the prevalence of endometriosis. There were conflicting results for the association between nickel and endometriosis. The relationship of EDCs and severity of endometriosis was not established in the studies.ConclusionWe found some evidence to suggest an association between phthalate esters, bisphenol A, organochlorinated environmental pollutants and the prevalence of endometriosis. Disentangling these exposures from various other factors that affect endometriosis is complex, but an important topic for further research.


2004 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 277-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Vinken ◽  
A. Höllrigl-Rosta ◽  
B. Schmidt ◽  
A. Schäffer ◽  
P.F.-X. Corvini

Humic substances are important environmental components since they represent a very large part of organic compounds on earth. According to many reports, dissolved humic substances are a determinant parameter for the bioavailability of xenobiotic compounds. For the present bioavailability studies, two kinds of dissolved humic substances, a commercially available humic acid and fulvic acids isolated from peat were used. As the relevant xenobiotic, a defined branched nonylphenol isomer, 4(3′,5′-dimethyl-3′-heptyl)-phenol (p353NP) was synthesised according to Friedel-Crafts alkylation. Equilibrium dialysis studies were implemented in order to investigate the association between 14C-labelled p353NP and dissolved humic substances. The biodegradability in the presence of dissolved humic substances was examined in experiments with the nonylphenol degrading bacterium strain Sphingomonas TTNP3 and with p353NP as sole carbon source. The results showed that p353NP-humic acid associates were formed in high amounts, whereas no adducts with fulvic acids occurred. In the degradation studies with Sphingomonas TTNP3, no effects of dissolved humic substances on the bioavailability of p353NP could be observed. It was assumed that the association between nonylphenol and humic acids occurs rapidly and is reversible. Thus, the formation of "labile" complexes did not influence biodegradation rates, which were quite low.


2013 ◽  
Vol 765-767 ◽  
pp. 2944-2948 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Ling Shao ◽  
Wen Qi Zhong ◽  
Xiao Yan Ma ◽  
Ang Gao ◽  
Xiang Yang Wu ◽  
...  

Yeast two-hybrid system was used to investigate the estrogenic activities of 13 kinds of representative endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and their combinary effects. Results show that the order of estrogenic potencies for these chemicals is: 17α-ethynylestradiol>diethylstilbestrol >17β-estradiol>estrone>estriol>branchedp-nonylphenol>4-t-octylphenol>bisphenol A>diethyl phthalate>4-n-nonylphenol>di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate>dibutyl phthalate>dimethyl phthalate. The mixture effects of multiple EDCs were compared to those obtained from individual chemicals, using the model of concentration addition. Results reveal that the estrogenicities of multicomponent mixtures of more than three (including three) of EDCs follow antagonistic effects, while there is no definite conclusion for binary systems. The less than additive effects were also confirmed in the spiked experiments conducted in the extracts of real water samples.


Author(s):  
Xiangqin Xu ◽  
Gang Zhou ◽  
Kun Lei ◽  
Gerald A. LeBlanc ◽  
Lihui An

A great deal of attention has been paid lately to release of phthalate esters (PAEs) from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into PET bottled drinking water due to their potential endocrine-disrupting effects. Three kinds of PAEs, including diethyl phthalate (DEP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), were detected in 10 popular brands of PET bottles in Beijing, ranging from 101.97 μg/kg to 709.87 μg/kg. Meanwhile, six kinds of PAEs, including DEP, DMP, DBP, n-butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), were detected in PET bottled water, ranging from 0.19 μg/L to 0.98 μg/L, under an outdoor storage condition, while their concentrations ranged from 0.18 μg/L to 0.71 μg/L under an indoor storage condition. Furthermore, the concentrations of PAEs in brand D and E bottles were slightly increased when the storage time was prolonged. In addition, the concentrations of PAEs in commercial water contained in brand B and H bottles and pure water contained in brand E and G bottles were also slightly increased with the increase of storage temperature. Interestingly, DBP mainly contributed to the increased PAEs levels in simulation water. These results suggest that a part of the PAEs in PET bottled water originated from plastic bottles, which was related to the storage time and temperature. However, the PAEs in PET bottled water only pose a negligible risk to consumers if they follow the recommendations, such as storage at a common place (24 °C), away from sun and in a short period of time.


2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amiel Boullemant ◽  
Jean-Pierre Gagné ◽  
Claude Fortin ◽  
Peter G. C. Campbell

Environmental context. Lipophilic metal complexes, because they can readily cross biological membranes, are especially bioavailable. However, in natural waters these complexes do not necessarily exist in a free state, i.e. they may bind to the organic matter (humic substances) that is present in natural waters. It follows that the in situ bioavailability of lipophilic metal complexes will tend to be less than that measured in simple laboratory experiments. Abstract. The ability of dissolved humic substances (HS: fulvic and humic acids) to complex cationic metals is well known, but their interactions with neutral lipophilic metal complexes are little understood. In the present study, we have examined the behaviour of two such complexes ( Cd  L 2 0 -->Cd L02: L = DDC = diethyldithiocarbamate, or L = XANT = ethylxanthate) in the presence of Suwannee River Humic and Fulvic acids. Interactions between the neutral complexes and the humic substances were assessed by excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy at pH 5.5 and 7.0, and by equilibrium dialysis experiments (500 Da cut-off). The EEM measurements were carried out by titrating the humic substances (6.5 mg C L–1) with Cd, in the absence or presence of ligand L (1 µM DDC or 100 µM XANT). Given the very high stability constants for the complexation of cadmium by DDC and XANT and the excess ligand concentration, virtually all (>96%) of the Cd added to the L + HS matrix was calculated to be present as the neutral Cd L 2 0 -->CdL20 complex over the entire pH range tested. For both humic substances, addition of DDC or XANT alone led to shifts in the fluorescence spectra at both pH values, indicating that the DDC– and XANT– anions likely interact by electrostatic or hydrogen bonding within the humic molecules. The subsequent addition of Cd to these L + HS systems resulted in a disproportionately large enhancement of the fluorescence intensities of individual EEM peaks, this fluorescence enhancement being only slightly decreased by the shift from pH 7.0 to 5.5. We interpret this enhancement as evidence that the two neutral complexes associate with the humic substances, presumably by forming ternary complexes (Ln-Cd-HS). Hydrophobic interactions between the humic substances and the neutral complexes may also contribute, but to a lesser extent, as demonstrated by partitioning calculations based on the lipophilicity of the neutral complexes. The association of the neutral complexes with Suwannee River Humic Acid was confirmed by dialysis experiments.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizia Carli ◽  
Demetrio Ciociaro ◽  
Amalia Gastaldelli

AbstractExposomics analyses have highlighted the importance of biomonitoring of human exposure to pollutants, even non-persistent, for the prevention of non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) widely used in industry and in a large range of daily life products that increase the risk of endocrine and cardiometabolic diseases especially if the exposure starts during childhood. Thus, it is important the biomonitoring of exposure to these compounds not only in adulthood but also in childhood. This was the goal of the LIFE-PERSUADED project that measured the exposure to phthalates (DEHP metabolites, MEHP, MEHHP, MEOHP) and BPA in Italian mother-children couples of different ages. In this paper we describe the method that was set up for the LIFE PERSUADED project and validated during in the proficiency test (ICI/EQUAS) showing that accurate determination of urinary phthalates and BPA can be achieved starting from small sample size (0.5ml) using two MS techniques applied in cascade on the same deconjugated matrix.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Qianqian Tang ◽  
Bingli Lei ◽  
Yun Liu ◽  
Xiaolan Zhang ◽  
Qian Liu ◽  
...  

Typical environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as estradiol valerate (EV), diethylstilbestrol (DES), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), and bisphenol A (BPA) have a strong reproductive and developmental toxicity at low concentrations. However, information on their joint toxicity is scarce. In this study, we evaluated the combined effects of EV and other four EDCs (DES, DEHP, MEHP, and BPA) on the human breast MCF-7 cells by detecting the cell proliferation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) protein expression using equal concentration ratio method. The results showed that, after exposure for 24, 48, and 72 h, single EV, DES, and BPA can promote the proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, and EV has the strongest effect in inducing cell proliferation. DEHP and MEHP cannot induce MCF-7 cell proliferation for all exposure time, while cell proliferation induced by EV was significantly attenuated by DES, BPA, DEHP, and MEHP when they mixed with EV. For intracellular ROS, single EV, BPA, DES, DEHP, and MEHP elevated intracellular ROS levels for different exposure time. Similar to the cell proliferation, DES and BPA decreased intracellular ROS levels induced by EV when they mixed with EV for 24 h. EV, DES, and BPA exposed alone or combined with EV upregulated the ERα protein expression. However, DEHP and MEHP exposed alone or combined with EV had no effect on ERα protein expression, indicating that DEHP or MEHP could attenuate ERα protein expression upregulated by EV. These results showed that the joint toxicity of binary mixtures of EV and other EDCs do not interact in a synergistic fashion in inducing cell proliferation, intracellular ROS levels, and ERα protein expression. These findings have important implications in the human risk assessments of EV mixed with other EDCs in the environment.


Author(s):  
Chao-Yu Shen ◽  
Jun-Cheng Weng ◽  
Jeng-Dau Tsai ◽  
Pen-Hua Su ◽  
Ming-Chih Chou ◽  
...  

Previous studies have indicated that prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can cause adverse neuropsychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. This study aimed to determine the association between the concentrations of prenatal EDCs and brain structure changes in teenagers by using MRI. We recruited 49 mother–child pairs during the third trimester of pregnancy, and collected and examined the concentration of EDCs—including phthalate esters, perfluorochemicals (PFCs), and heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury)—in maternal urine and/or serum. MRI voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and generalized q-sampling imaging (GQI) mapping—including generalized fractional anisotropy (GFA), normalized quantitative anisotropy (NQA), and the isotropic value of the orientation distribution function (ISO)—were obtained in teenagers 13–16 years of age in order to find the association between maternal EDC concentrations and possible brain structure alterations in the teenagers’ brains. We found that there are several specific vulnerable brain areas/structures associated with prenatal exposure to EDCs, including decreased focal brain volume, primarily in the frontal lobe; high frontoparietal lobe, temporooccipital lobe and cerebellum; and white matter structural alterations, which showed a negative association with GFA/NQA and a positive association with ISO, primarily in the corpus callosum, external and internal capsules, corona radiata, superior fronto-occipital fasciculus, and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Prenatal exposure to EDCs may be associated with specific brain structure alterations in teenagers.


2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Murillo-Torres ◽  
Juan C. Durán-Alvarez ◽  
Blanca Prado-Pano ◽  
Blanca Jiménez-Cisneros

Agricultural irrigation using raw wastewater is a popular practice in developing countries. However, as endocrine disrupting chemicals have been found in this water, the potential pollution of soil and water sources has become a source of concern. Such pollutants may be removed during the passage of wastewater through the soil by degradation and/or sorption. In this study the sorption and mobility of bis-2-ethyl(hexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) in three different soils (Leptosol, Phaeozem and Vertisol) was compared. The distribution coefficients showed that DEHP is rapidly sorbed onto the three tested soils (Kd between 1.8 × 104 and 4.2 × 04 L/kg), while sorption of 4-NP (Kd between 15 and 80 L/kg) was weaker. In batch experiments the soil sorption capacity observed was as follows: Vertisol > Phaeozem > Leptosol for both compounds. However, in column experiments the retardation factor (RF) for 4-NP was higher than for the DEHP in the three soils. This suggests the possible migration of DEHP through the soil via colloids. The column results were found consistent with those observed in the field. It was concluded that the risk of groundwater contamination is higher for Leptosol soil than for Phaeozem and Vertisol soils and that DEHP can reach the aquifer prior to 4-NP.


2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 729-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. Graber ◽  
Y. Rudich

Abstract. A class of organic molecules extracted from atmospheric aerosol particles and isolated from fog and cloud water has been termed HUmic-LIke Substances (HULIS) due to a certain resemblance to terrestrial and aquatic humic and fulvic acids. In light of the interest that this class of atmospheric compounds currently attracts, we comprehensively review HULIS properties, as well as laboratory and field investigations concerning their formation and characterization in atmospheric samples. While sharing some important features such as polyacidic nature, accumulating evidence suggests that atmospheric HULIS differ substantially from terrestrial and aquatic humic substances. Major differences between HULIS and humic substances, including smaller average molecular weight, lower aromatic moiety content, greater surface activity, better droplet activation ability, as well as others, are highlighted. Several alternatives are proposed that may explain such differences: (1) the possibility that mono- and di-carboxylic acids and mineral acids abundant in the atmosphere prevent the formation of large humic "supramolecular associations"; (2) that large humic macromolecules are destroyed in the atmosphere by UV radiation, O3, and OH- radicals; (3) that "HULIS" actually consists of a complex, unresolved mixture of relatively small molecules rather than macromolecular entities; and (4) that HULIS formed via abiotic and short-lived oxidative reaction pathways differ substantially from humic substances formed over long time periods via biologically-mediated reactions. It should also be recalled that the vast majority of studies of HULIS relate to the water soluble fraction, which would include only the fulvic acid fraction of humic substances, and exclude the humic acid (base-soluble) and humin (insoluble) fractions of humic substances. A significant effort towards adopting standard extraction and characterization methods is required to develop a better and meaningful comparison between different HULIS samples.


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